Peter Jackson Officially Announces a Third ‘Hobbit’ Film for Summer 2014

As was previously rumored, director Peter Jackson officially announced this morning that 'The Hobbit' would be a trilogy and a third film will be released. Full details below:

The film was initially split into two films - 'An Unexpected Journey' and 'There and Back Again' - but Jackson, Warner Bros. and New Line decided they had enough footage to split those two films into three and make a new 'Hobbit' trilogy.

Said Jackson today on his Facebook page:

It is only at the end of a shoot that you finally get the chance to sit down and have a look at the film you have made. Recently Fran, Phil and I did just this when we watched for the first time an early cut of the first movie - and a large chunk of the second. We were really pleased with the way the story was coming together, in particular, the strength of the characters and the cast who have brought them to life. All of which gave rise to a simple question: do we take this chance to tell more of the tale? And the answer from our perspective as the filmmakers, and as fans, was an unreserved ‘yes.' ... So, without further ado and on behalf of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Wingnut Films, and the entire cast and crew of “The Hobbit” films, I’d like to announce that two films will become three.

While 'An Unexpected Journey' will hit theaters this December and 'There and Back Again' in December of 2013, you won't have to wait quite as long for the third film, which is set for a Summer 2014 date.

As for titles, nothing has been made official but Fusible notes that Warner Bros. has picked up domains related to two possible titles: 'The Desolation of Smaug' and 'Riddles in the Dark.' While those can't be confirmed as film titles, they're certainly possibilities.